How bad would your cold have to be for the surgeon to cancel?

[aNewTanya 109]

I'm scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I've been battling a nasty cold for 10 days so far. At this point, it's down to an annoying but not severe chest congestion ( not enough to cough it up but enough that I hear it when I exhale) and pressure in my head causing my ears to block. I'm so worried my surgery gets canceled. Ugh. I don't feel sick anymore but that damn minor cough n chest congestion. Any thoughts?

[sweetxpetunia 4]

I got bronchitis the DAY before my originally scheduled surgery in December. The nurse said they will not incubate if you have any flem. If you're coughing up any secretions or blowing a lot. They can't put the breathing tube in you during surgery. Cold should have cleared up by now, maybe try antibiotics? However, as long as you don't have a lot of mucus coming up, I think they'll do it. Mine was canceled.

[TexasRN 1]

It is usually up to the Anesthesiaologist..... If your your lungs sound wheezy or you have trouble taking a deep breath.... They want your lungs as healthy as possible for surgery.....

Also it depends is you have a fever..... Surgeons usually will not operate if you have had a fever within 24 hrs.... And you don't want them too.... This will lower your risk of infection....

Good Luck

[aNewTanya 109]

No fever and no wheezing. So I'm hoping for the very best!

Thanks for your replies

[sweetxpetunia 4]

I called my surgeons office day of surgery and she didn't ask if I even had a fever. As a matter of fact I vounteered the information for her and she said it didn't matter, she said the only thing that mattered was if I was bringing up flem, because they wouldn't put a breating tube down my throat if I was secreting mucus. If you're not honest about it with them, then they'll get you prepped for surgery, look dwon your throat, see the mucus and just stop the procedure. Tell them about whatever existing symptoms you have day of surgery. For your own benefit.

[aNewTanya 109]

I don't think my surgeon intubates. I did call them this morning and they said I should be fine. I don't know. We'll see tomorrow I guess.

[sweetxpetunia 4]

Hey I honestly hope everything goes off without a hitch and I wish you all the best! Just trying to be realistic because I never expected my own surgery to get canceled. Anyway, every surgeon intubates. You have to whenever anesthesia is given because your muscles relax to the point where you won't breath. The intubation is when they put the tube down your throat so you breathe during surgery, as long as anesthesia is being used, you're being given a breathing tube. But it's been 10+ days now so as long as you don't have buckets of muscus in your esophagus/nose or chest congestion, I'm sure they'll do it. Besides, they will check you out at the hospital and once you're on the table, and once they administer your anesthesia, they'll open your mouth to put the breathing tube down and they'll know right away whether they can continue or not. his though,

Best of luck! Don't focus on though, just focus on your fabulous recovery and the journey ahead of yoU!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Probably if it jeopardizes your health or your life, and if that happens you have a good doctor who won't risk it. Trust your surgeon to take care of you. Good luck!